Souls in Our Hands

Souls in Our Hands

2004015

Topic # 1373

Introduction:

A. God has done so much to save our souls! Jhn. 3:16

1. Acts 20:28 – what price did Jesus pay for your soul?

2. Do we grasp His pain/agony? Psa. 22; Isa. 53

3. Apostles established the church; wrote down the truth; sacrificed their lives that we may come to know God & be saved.

4. These facts alone should show us how valuable our souls are.

B. The soul is more valuable than education; money; social standing; financial security; family ties; or all the wealth on earth.

1. Soul is the inward; invisible; eternal part of man.

2. It is the eternal part of man with which God endows us with part of His own nature. Gen. 2:7

a) Makes us different from rest of creation.

b) Of all His creation – only this is spoken of mankind.

C. Can we fully realize the value of a soul? Mt. 16:26?

I. Our souls are in our hands.

A. Ezek. 18:4 – all souls belong to God.

1. Acts 17:25 – the soul in your body belongs to God.

2. Josh 24:15 – each person has the power of choice as to what he will do w/the soul God gave him.

B. Which road are you going down? Mt. 7:13-14

C. Whether we like it or not, each individual gives an account to God as to what he does with the soul God gave him.

1. Rom. 14:12; 2 Cor. 5:10

D. YOU can do what you want to do with your soul.

1. YOU are the master of your own destiny.

2. YOU are a steward of what God gave you!

II. Parents: the souls of your children are in your hands.

A. EVERY child deserves the example of righteous parents who are conscientiously striving to nurture his...

1. Body; mind; spirit…

2. 2 Tim. 1:5 – where would Timothy be w/o his mother/grandmother?

B. Biblical examples & admonitions: Eph. 6:4

1. 1 Sam. 1:11 illustrates the stewardship of motherhood.

C. Yet…many parents neglect their responsibility by living lives that are starved of spiritual nourishment.

1. Treat spiritual responsibilities lightly.

2. Deceive themselves into thinking children don’t see how:

a) they speak; act;

b) their attitudes

c) they handle anger

d) treat their spouse

3. Children soak up our actions like a sponge!

D. Parents … YOU are stewards of the souls of your children. Don’t realize this fact TOO Late!

E. POEM….

F. Doesn’t matter how old your child is – start NOW in this area of stewardship.

1. Are you doing your part in steering them in the right direction?

III. Souls of the whole world are in the hands of Christians.

A. Jhn. 4:35 – a great harvest of souls is waiting to be saved.

1. it is our responsibility to go teach – Mt. 28:18-20

2. We must take the gospel to the lost. Only way they hear is thru us!

a) Ukraine trip…

b) Rom. 10:13-14

2. Their destiny of heaven/hell depends on our stewardship & their response to obey/disobey it.

B. Rom. 1:16 – it is the gospel that is the saving power.

1. It is the only saving power on earth! Souls are in our hands!

2. It is through the renewing of the mind that the transformation process begins – Rom. 12:1-3.

a) God saves people by changing their minds; converting them to Him; and that results in changing lives.

b) Isa 1:18a God calls out….

IV. The time is NOW! 2 Cor. 5:18-21; 6:1-2 A Call for salvation!

A. The devil’s calendar always says, tomorrow. God’s calendar says, TODAY!

B. In this text, Paul speaks to Christians!

C. 6:1 – Paul urges Corinthian Christians not to receive the grace of God in vain!

1. Even Christians need to receive His grace today!

2. Not just His initial saving grace, but we need a daily application of God’s favor in our lives!

3. I think the more mature we grow in Christ; the more we realize we need God’s power to make it in this world!

4. God’s grace is VITAL for our daily tasks; trials; and temptations!

D. 6:1 – we can negate the grace of God by sinning. We treat sin so lightly w/o even realizing it.

1. Ralph Walker quote. p. 10-11 2004 FC Lecture book.

E. Brethren: everyday is salvation day! Consider how we need God each day!

1. Did you sin today?

2. Did you need the empowerment of God to do His will today?

3. Do you really believe you could have made it without God today?

F. Outside of Christ? God is willing to accept you RIGHT NOW!

1. He is willing to hear you today! He is ready to dispense his saving grace today!

2. He is willing to take you no matter what shape you’re in – if you will come to Him on His terms!

3. Same true for unfaithful Christian…

4. Lk. 15:20 – prodigal son’s father was always watching & waiting for his son to return! God is that Father!

a) TODAY HE IS READY TO RECEIVE YOU!

G. When we respond…God will not put us off. He will save us today!

1. Never obeyed gospel – you can do that now – be saved in the same hour of the night – Acts 16:33

a) You can be baptized in any season; any hour….

2. As a child of God – your sins can be forgiven at the time you repent!

a) You can pray – and God will forgiven them TODAY!

3. Note the appeal of 6:2

a) God says do whatever it takes to be saved….TODAY!

b) God appeals to you to repent; die to self; take up your cross; and love God above all else.

H. Opportunity…

1. Latin word: against the port. Used in reference to a ship’s maneuvers when approaching port.

a) Ships would wait outside port for high tide to change & deepen port’s basin so ship wouldn’t run aground.

b) Miss tide & there is danger.

c) To miss – meant spending night offshore in darkness – fearing the shallows until the next tide came.

1) Ironically – worst place to be if a storm arose – just outside the port.

2) Winds/waves could drive a ship aground & pound it to splinters.

d) Truly…almost is but to fail…almost is lost!

2. How many in this room are sitting just outside the port of safety that IS Jesus Christ?

a) How many needlessly court w/danger?

3. Jer. 8:20 – a terrible lament.

a) The right time has slipped away.

b) There is no more opportunity.

Conclusion:

A. Our souls are in our hands. The souls of those we love are in our hands. The souls of the world are in our hands.

B. In all of those situations TIME is critical! We may die. Our hearts may grow cold.

1. Circumstances may arise which will prevent us from responding.

2. The tide may reverse & leave us against the port – longing for a safe haven – but no guarantee that we’ll still be alive/afloat by morning.

C. TODAY is the best day to obey God!

1. The harvest NOW! The fields are white for harvest.

2. God says HERE is the ONLY chance you have…

3. TODAY. Better take it. Do it. Now. TODAY!

D. I N V I T A T I O N



Souls in Our Hands 2004015 Topic # 1373 Introduction: A. God has done so much to save our souls! Jhn. 3:16 1. Acts 20:28 – what price did Jesus pay for your soul? 2. Do we grasp His pain/agony? Psa. 22; Isa. 53 3. Apostles established the church; wrote down the truth; sacrificed their lives that we may come to know God & be saved. 4. These facts alone should show us how valuable our souls are. B. The soul is more valuable than education; money; social standing; financial security; family ties; or all the wealth on earth. 1. Soul is the inward; invisible; eternal part of man. 2. It is the eternal part of man with which God endows us with part of His own nature. Gen. 2:7 a) Makes us different from rest of creation. b) Of all His creation – only this is spoken of mankind. C. Can we fully realize the value of a soul? Mt. 16:26? I. Our souls are in our hands. A. Ezek. 18:4 – all souls belong to God. 1. Acts 17:25 – the soul in your body belongs to God. 2. Josh 24:15 – each person has the power of choice as to what he will do w/the soul God gave him. B. Which road are you going down? Mt. 7:13-14 C. Whether we like it or not, each individual gives an account to God as to what he does with the soul God gave him. 1. Rom. 14:12; 2 Cor. 5:10 D. YOU can do what you want to do with your soul. 1. YOU are the master of your own destiny. 2. YOU are a steward of what God gave you! II. Parents: the souls of your children are in your hands. A. EVERY child deserves the example of righteous parents who are conscientiously striving to nurture his... 1. Body; mind; spirit… 2. 2 Tim. 1:5 – where would Timothy be w/o his mother/grandmother? B. Biblical examples & admonitions: Eph. 6:4 1. 1 Sam. 1:11 illustrates the stewardship of motherhood. C. Yet…many parents neglect their responsibility by living lives that are starved of spiritual nourishment. 1. Treat spiritual responsibilities lightly. 2. Deceive themselves into thinking children don’t see how: a) they speak; act; b) their attitudes c) they handle anger d) treat their spouse 3. Children soak up our actions like a sponge! D. Parents … YOU are stewards of the souls of your children. Don’t realize this fact TOO Late! E. POEM…. F. Doesn’t matter how old your child is – start NOW in this area of stewardship. 1. Are you doing your part in steering them in the right direction? III. Souls of the whole world are in the hands of Christians. A. Jhn. 4:35 – a great harvest of souls is waiting to be saved. 1. it is our responsibility to go teach – Mt. 28:18-20 2. We must take the gospel to the lost. Only way they hear is thru us! a) Ukraine trip… b) Rom. 10:13-14 2. Their destiny of heaven/hell depends on our stewardship & their response to obey/disobey it. B. Rom. 1:16 – it is the gospel that is the saving power. 1. It is the only saving power on earth! Souls are in our hands! 2. It is through the renewing of the mind that the transformation process begins – Rom. 12:1-3. a) God saves people by changing their minds; converting them to Him; and that results in changing lives. b) Isa 1:18a God calls out…. IV. The time is NOW! 2 Cor. 5:18-21; 6:1-2 A Call for salvation! A. The devil’s calendar always says, tomorrow. God’s calendar says, TODAY! B. In this text, Paul speaks to Christians! C. 6:1 – Paul urges Corinthian Christians not to receive the grace of God in vain! 1. Even Christians need to receive His grace today! 2. Not just His initial saving grace, but we need a daily application of God’s favor in our lives! 3. I think the more mature we grow in Christ; the more we realize we need God’s power to make it in this world! 4. God’s grace is VITAL for our daily tasks; trials; and temptations! D. 6:1 – we can negate the grace of God by sinning. We treat sin so lightly w/o even realizing it. 1. Ralph Walker quote. p. 10-11 2004 FC Lecture book. E. Brethren: everyday is salvation day! Consider how we need God each day! 1. Did you sin today? 2. Did you need the empowerment of God to do His will today? 3. Do you really believe you could have made it without God today? F. Outside of Christ? God is willing to accept you RIGHT NOW! 1. He is willing to hear you today! He is ready to dispense his saving grace today! 2. He is willing to take you no matter what shape you’re in – if you will come to Him on His terms! 3. Same true for unfaithful Christian… 4. Lk. 15:20 – prodigal son’s father was always watching & waiting for his son to return! God is that Father! a) TODAY HE IS READY TO RECEIVE YOU! G. When we respond…God will not put us off. He will save us today! 1. Never obeyed gospel – you can do that now – be saved in the same hour of the night – Acts 16:33 a) You can be baptized in any season; any hour…. 2. As a child of God – your sins can be forgiven at the time you repent! a) You can pray – and God will forgiven them TODAY! 3. Note the appeal of 6:2 a) God says do whatever it takes to be saved….TODAY! b) God appeals to you to repent; die to self; take up your cross; and love God above all else. H. Opportunity… 1. Latin word: against the port. Used in reference to a ship’s maneuvers when approaching port. a) Ships would wait outside port for high tide to change & deepen port’s basin so ship wouldn’t run aground. b) Miss tide & there is danger. c) To miss – meant spending night offshore in darkness – fearing the shallows until the next tide came. 1) Ironically – worst place to be if a storm arose – just outside the port. 2) Winds/waves could drive a ship aground & pound it to splinters. d) Truly…almost is but to fail…almost is lost! 2. How many in this room are sitting just outside the port of safety that IS Jesus Christ? a) How many needlessly court w/danger? 3. Jer. 8:20 – a terrible lament. a) The right time has slipped away. b) There is no more opportunity. Conclusion: A. Our souls are in our hands. The souls of those we love are in our hands. The souls of the world are in our hands. B. In all of those situations TIME is critical! We may die. Our hearts may grow cold. 1. Circumstances may arise which will prevent us from responding. 2. The tide may reverse & leave us against the port – longing for a safe haven – but no guarantee that we’ll still be alive/afloat by morning. C. TODAY is the best day to obey God! 1. The harvest NOW! The fields are white for harvest. 2. God says HERE is the ONLY chance you have… 3. TODAY. Better take it. Do it. Now. TODAY! D. I N V I T A T I O N